The Delhi circle of the Archaeological Survey of India also seems to have been gripped by the election fever! The ASI’s Delhi circle on Wednesday took the initiative to encourage heritage lovers visiting the three world heritage sites and other monuments here to vote during the Lok Sabha polls.

Stating that the Hindi and English messages stamped on entry tickets to all monuments here were in concurrence with the Election Commission’s message, Delhi Circle ASI superintending archaeologist Vasant Swarnkar said the initiative was taken keeping in mind the 40,000 heritage lovers who visit the world heritage sights of Humayun’s Tomb, the Red Fort and the Qutub Minar daily.

“We receive a footfall of about 40,000 daily, but only Indians will get these tickets,” said Dr. Swarnkar, the brain behind the initiative. On why the message was not stamped in Urdu, widely spoken in the Walled City, Okhla and Seelampur, he said he will keep that in mind in the future.

-The Hindu, 3rd April 2014

A recent scientific study has established the need to maintain at least 50% to 60% of the total monsoon flow into a river throughout the year for transporting river sediment, biodiversity balance and preventing algal choking .

The study found that Yamuna's Delhi stretch gets only about 30% of the flow during the rains and only 16% during the rest of the year. Yamuna is overexploited and its flow needs a proper recharge for it to support life. Long-term overuse will terminally affect the river and its surroundings.

The study published in the Current Science journal is the first attempt, according to its authors, to understand the minimum flow required for desilting and carrying debris.

Godavari fares well with 70% of the total monsoon flow kept up throughout the year. The monsoon flow is also called 'virgin-free flow'. Narmada, meanwhile, is gradually deteriorating with less than 50% of free flow all year round.

The study has measured the size of sand particles and then calculated the discharge required to transport these particles. "These are approximate averages of how much flow is required to carry sand particles. Through various calculations we have deduced the velocity needed to carry these particles. This is the first such study, and Yamuna has fared very poorly. Its total free flow is extremely low," said Vikram Soni of Jamia Millia Islamia, co-author of the study.

The total monsoon flow is measured during July, August and September, when the waters peak. The study says that at least 50% to 60% of this peak level needs to flow during the remaining nine months. Activists have highlighted the issue. The study, co-authored by Shashank Shekhar of DU and activist Diwan Singh, points to heavy sewage discharge of grit and metallic waste. It explains why Yamuna is lifeless compared to other rivers. Before the river flows into Delhi, its depth is 0.6m through peak summer, which is too little for a fish population. The flow downstream of Delhi is mainly sewage. If the mean annual environmental flow is maintained at about 50%, some biodiversity can be revived.

-The Times of India, 3rd April 2014

Cutlery used by Mahatma Gandhi during his incarceration at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune and at the house of shipping magnate Sumati Morarjee in Mumbai have been on sale in Bristol since January, but there have been no offers matching the asking price yet.

Gandhi’s metal food bowl, two wooden spoons and a wooden fork were put up for sale by Paul Fraser Collectibles for £75,000, but despite much interest among “wealthy Indians in London”, no one has yet offered the asking price.

A representative of the company that specialises in unique and historically significant items told HT that Gandhi’s items were still available for purchase, and added: “We’ve had a lot of offers but none at the asking price”.

The provenance of the items has been attributed to ‘the collection of Sumati Morarjee’.

Paul Fraser Collectibles said that the food bowl measures approximately 2½” high by 8” in diameter and carries the stamped numbers to its base ‘208/42’. The spoons and fork are approximately 6½” in length.

“According to Morarjee family lore the utensils were used by Gandhi during his incarceration at the Aga Khan’s palace in Pune from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944, and then taken to their home at Juhu Beach”, the company said. The description of the items says: “Gandhi first visited the ‘Palm-Bun’ house in 1915 after his return from South Africa. He also spent extended periods of time at the home, most notably in 1924 after his surgery for appendicitis and in 1944 after his release from detention at the Aga Khan’s palace in Pune”.

“During both extended visits Gandhi was cared for by Sumati Morarjee, a close associate of Gandhi’s who was actively involved in the underground movement for Independence…These items were subsequently kept by Sumati Morarjee at her home, in an unoffical museum”.

-The Hindustan Times, 4th April 2014

The Archaeological Survey of India is doing its bit to encourage voting. In a first, tickets for Indian visitors at the 10 ticketed monuments in Delhi will bear a mark asking them to cast their votes. ASI hopes to motivate about 30,000 voters, who visit its sites, like Qutub Minar and Red Fort, daily.

The mark on tickets will be distributed till the polling on April 10, but talks are on to extend it till May 15, when the elections conclude. "The monuments in Delhi attract people from all over the country," said an ASI official by way of explanation.

Qutub Md Red Fort record the maximum footfall in the city—about 20,000 Indian visitors daily. The third world heritage site Humayun's Tomb attracts fewer visitors— 3,000-4,000 in a day.

-The Times of India, 4th April 2014

Thank god for amateur archaeologists. Recently, one of this intrepid tribe, Surinder Kochhar, uncovered the site of one of the most coldblooded executions during the 1857 uprising at Kallianwala Khoo. Last month, his tireless (and thankless) efforts paid off when a private dig that he spearheaded unearthed 282 skeletons from a khoo(well), proving that what several historians had mentioned over the past century or so — but no one acted on — was horrifyingly true. Most recently, in his 2013 book Punjab: A History from Aurangzeb to Mountbatten, Rajmohan Gandhi wrote, "After chasing and capturing 303 out of 400 or so disarmed Hindustani sepoys who had escaped the previous day from their Lahore internment, Cooper had them shot in batches of 10 in Ajnala near Amritsar." Some 237 bodies were dumped in the khoo and the rest of the prisoners were summoned; 45 had already died of suffocation and were also buried in the well, bringing the total to 282.

Had it been left to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this story —not to mention the remains of those forgotten martyrs — may have not been unearthed for another few generations. Indeed, Kochhar had reportedly requested the local unit of the ASI several times to act on what he had gathered and excavate the likely spot but got no response.

But, remember, ASI hastened to dig for gold in the precincts of a temple in Unnao merely going by a godman's dream. The find at Kallianwala Khoo coincided with a somewhat unrelated but indicative event: the unveiling of the permanent Sutton Hoo exhibit at the British Museum in London. That story also began with amateur archaeologists. One was Edith Pretty, the owner of a tract of land with 18 mysterious mounds. The other was Basil Brown, a self-taught local archaeologist. And thanks to both, Britain retrieved an invaluable segment of its past.

Pretty engaged Brown in 1938 to find out what was in the mounds as they had been partly excavated earlier mainly by gravediggers but nothing significant was found. Thanks to the indefatigable efforts of Brown — and Pretty's gardener, gamekeeper and estate workers — a stunning Anglo-Saxon ship burial was uncovered in 1939, and an astounding cache of artifacts including a superb helmet and gold ornaments that pointed to a royal interment.

What happened next illustrates the difference between India and Britain. Pretty was declared the legal owner of this treasure trove as it had been "buried without intent of removal". She, in turn, bequeathed everything to the British Museum — making her the largest single donor in that grand institution's history. World War II and academic wrangling prevented Sutton Hoo from getting its due for a long time, but excavations and documentation continued.

Finally, the British Museum has opened a permanent display of the Sutton Hoo treasures this March.

And it has dazzled Britons for it proves that their land did not descend into the "dark ages" in the 6th century after the decline of the Romans. In fact, the Anglo-Saxon remains show a fine expertise in shipbuilding, gold craftsmanship and even utensils and tools. In terms of redefining a nation's self-image, it has made an invaluable difference.

-The Economic Times, 5th April 2014

Among Hindu divinities, Lord Hanuman is the most popular. Of late, his devotees have established a number of museums for him in different parts of India.

But the most important of these is the Hanuman Museum in Lucknow set up by Sunil Gomber, an ardent devotee of Hanuman.

Just enter the museum and you will find a complete world of Hanuman artefacts, portraits, murals, statues, relics, books and cassettes.

In fact, this museum has been certified by the Limca Book of Records as the largest Hanuman Museum in the world.

This is solely due to the efforts of Sunil Gomber, a prominent publisher of Lucknow, who has donated, since 2004, portions of his mansion at Indira Nagar at Lucknow for the museum.

As a child, he was a great devotee of Hanuman and this passion grew as he became a prosperous businessman. In fact, in 2009, when he heard that US President Barack Obama carries a “tiny monkey god” apparently representing Hanuman, Gomber was overjoyed.

President Obama, whose father was a Kenyan and mother a white woman from Kansas, spent the initial days of his life in Indonesia, where Hinduism is practised by many people.

Gomber sent to Obama the visual encyclopaedia of Hanuman compiled by him.

The tome titled “Samagra Hanuman Darshan” (visual encyclopaedia of Lord Hanuman) was released in 2007 and the 248-page bi-lingual (English and Hindi) book has been published in matte finish and is being touted as a “collector’s item”.

Apart from India, several of the photographs pertain to ancient temples in Cambodia, Indonesia and Mauritius.

The museum has more than 700 rare portraits, carefully collected by Gomber.

The seven portfolios, prominently disp¬la¬yed on the walls, show Hanuman in different moods and varied emotions like “veer rasa” and “bhakti rasa.” One of the portfolios even shows Lord Rama dressing up Hanuman. The murals throw up different aspects of his life.

For example, one aspect of God Hanuman’s prowess was that he was a celibate.

One of the murals shows a curious episode not known to many.

“Puranas” state that Hanuman is the only deity who mastered all the nine Hindu scriptures that were taught to gods. However, one of these treatises, could not be taught till the student was married.

Understanding that Hanuman was a “bal brahmchari”, his teacher Surya, the Sun God, offered a solution.

He cut off his rays and created a female goddess Suvarchala, also a celibate.

The two were married ritualistically. Thereafter, Surya imparted the training in the last scripture to Hanuman. A large mural that occupies the pride of place in the museum shows Hanuman with his extended family.

There is Lord Shiva on top and Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman on one side and mother Anjani and father Kesri on the other.

Hanuman’s foster father Pawan Deva is present in one corner, while his teacher Surya Deva stands at the other end.

His friends Angad, Sugriv, Nal and Neel and Jamwant are waiting in attendance, while saint Tulsi Das, who is supposed to be an avatar of Hanuman, is shown at another corner.

One treasure, which Gomber has acq¬uired at great cost, is that of a pair of silver padukas ( slippers).

As is known, when Rama was born, the astrologers found 48 divine marks on the sole of his feet.

Gomber’s silver padukas are artistically decorated with all these divine marks.

Normally, Hanuman is shown as either carrying the Sanjivani mountain or at the feet of Lord Rama.

But this museum has a rare statue of Hanuman playing the veena.

A large number of people are conversant with the famous Hanuman Chalisa prayer composed by Tulsidas.

In the poem, he has described the ornaments worn by Hanuman as Kunal kunchit kesha, Haath Braj aur dhwaja iraje, kandhe moonj janeu saje’.

(You wear ear rings and have long curly hair. You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory (kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder).

Gomber did research on these embellishments and has recreated them in silver.

There are more than 350 books on Hanuman in this museum and the different editions of the prayer book Hanuman Chalisa.

Gomber has also collected, CDs, cassettes, gramophone records available on this famous sloka on Hanuman. In modern days, you cannot overlook the internet and one large noticeboard displayed gives information on the hundreds of related items on the internet on Hanuman.

If you want to know as to which is the tallest Hanuman statue in the world, you have it here, as well as +information on the smallest statue.

Gomber has compiled two books on Lord Hanuman: The World of Lord Hanuman and The Visual Encyclopedia of Lord Hanuman.

For The World of Lord Hanuman, Gomber collected material from 51 websites devoted to Hanuman and compiled it into 31 articles. Gomber states: “These sites, which are maintained by highly learned international scholars, provide a wonderful insight into the references on Hanuman drawn from various sacred and religious scriptures.

By the grace of Hanumanji, I have been able to compile the storehouse of information and knowledge of these websites into a collection of articles in this book.”

The result is a marvellous volume that guides readers through the long and complicated details of Lord Hanuman’s life and relationship with Rama.

A quarterly magazine “Hanuman Kripa Sandesh” on Lord Hanuman is available and the publisher claims that it is the only exclusive journal on Hanuman.

In the museum, a Hanuman writing bank is also established, where the devotees can write the god’s name as many times as they can and deposit it as their treasure.

-The Deccan, 6th April 2014

Black granite plaque lay tucked in a corner of Old Washermenpet police station

For years, policemen attached to the Old Washermenpet police station believed the small square plaque, in black granite, on the left corner at the entrance of the station was its foundation stone.

But, it now turns out the piece of stone has more history behind it than the policemen were privy to. For the first time, after The Hindu mailed them the pictures, historians S. Muthiah and Sriram V. confirm the plaque was the first boundary pillar of the original boundary of the erstwhile Madras drawn by the British in the mid 18 century.

After the British defeated the invading French troops and re-gained control over Madras in the mid 1700s, they planned to fortify Fort St. George by clearing the ‘Black Town’ (settlements of the natives) area, which now houses the Madras High Court and Law College campuses.

This was done to get a clear field of fire in the event of any future invasion, especially by the French. The boundary was marked by pillars.

Earlier, historians believed the boundary of this fortification was marked by six pillars in Parry’s Corner, Thambu Chetty Street, Kondi Chetty Street, Broadway, Stringer Street and Badrian Street (now N.S.C Bose Road). Of these, only one pillar, at Parry’s Corner, has survived, says Mr. Sriram.

“It is a very important finding because so far, we thought the boundary of early Madras was around N.S.C Bose Road. Now, with the discovery of the pillar, we learn the actual boundary began from Old Washermenpet,” he says.

“That there was a boundary pillar at Old Washermenpet was actually recorded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its annual report of 1912-13.

The structure, both the police station and the boundary pillar, should be protected,” says an ASI official.

Each obelisk pillar was around 15 feet tall with a plaque on its lower part.

Tucked beneath Parthasarathy flyover, the boundary pillar formed part of the main building of the police station that was opened on December 31, 1898, by the then commissioner of police, Agar Padley. The original building of the police station has not been in use over the past month. It was vacated after part of the roof caved in.

Now, the Old Washermenpet police station functions in a temporary accommodation near the old building.

-The Hindu, 6th April 2014

Folklore Falcons enjoy an interesting spot in not just India’s history but the entire world’s, observes R.V. Smith

The shikra (falcon) of Saeed Ahmed, an Indo-Turk, is now part of memory. The falcon would sit on his wrist and at a pull of its string would shoot up and catch a small bird, usually a sparrow or a shyama. It was fed red meat and feared by children who were wary of its sudden snap at their fingers. Saeed used to wear a leather band on his wrist to protect it from the impulsive bird of prey. Those were the days when some of the rajas and nawabs flaunted falcons like people do mobiles these days. Nagaland is famous for falcons migrating from colder climes in winter. Thousands of them were killed by the Nagas in 1912 but now conservation has begun.

Falconry is thousands of years old. It was known in India as early as the Mahabharata days. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as also the Chinese and Japanese, were fond of falconry. A falcon of Duryodhan snatched an ornament of Draupdi and was shot and injured by one of the Pandavas — something the Kaurava leader resented very much until calmed down by his Machiavellian uncle Shakuni. The falcon of Bhishma Pitamah is a favourite part of local lore but does not form part of the Mahabharata epic. The falcons of the pharaohs went into battle with them. Troy’s Prince Paris sent love notes to Helen through his falcon while resisting the siege by the Greeks. The latter also had their falcons. Agamemnon sent his falcon with a message to comfort his wife Andromache. Aeneas’ departure was conveyed to the heart-broken Queen Dido by his falcon, which flew back to the hero’s ship and landed in Italy with its master. No wonder the succeeding Romans enjoyed falconry while they were fighting their wars on the Continent and in Africa. The Vikings and Mongols were also fond of it.

Nearer home, Babar and Humayun’s love for falcons was passed on to Akbar, who had them in his private quarters in the Agra Fort. But when the emperor’s prized pigeons were killed by them one night he had them caged so that his birds were kept out of harm’s way. Jahangir spotted a shikra in his youth at Fatehpur Sikri and Shah Jahan as Khurram had one presented to him by a Rajput prince with whom he and Mumtaz Mahal had taken shelter during his revolt against his father. A falcon was Guru Govind Singh’s favourite bird.

In our own times, Saeed Ahmed’s shikra led to a craze for falcons in the Walled City. The nawabs of Basai Darapur and Jhajjar were known falconers. So also Nawab Shamsuddin Khan of Ferozepur, who was hanged for the assassination of the British President William Fraser. The latter’s friend, Col James Skinner, saw a shikra aiding the Mahrattas during a battle. It belonged to Luckwa Dada, a crafty general of the Scindias. The colonel, a great hunter, acquired one for himself and in later years he would travel with it from his estate in Hansi to his mansion in Kashmere Gate. However, Colonel Ochterlony, who defended Delhi against Jaswant Rao Holkar in 1804, is said to have had a dislike for falcons. Some said a falcon of Holkar’s had plucked out an eye of one of his soldiers guarding the city wall between the Delhi and Ajmeri gates. During the Revolt of 1857, Major General John Nicholson too had his falcon when he laid siege to Delhi. What happened to it following the general’s death, after being fatally shot at Lahori Gate, is not known.

One heard these stories from Mian Sahib, a wizened old man who used to come for his evening meals to Hafiz Hotel in Ballimaran. He would talk nineteen to the dozen while eating dinner and after he left, the hotel owner would shake his head and say, “God knows how much of what he says is true and how much is just gossip picked up on the roadside.” However, it is a fact that Mian Sahib shared meals with Zakir Husain at this restaurant during the would-be President of India’s salad days. Also true was his friendship with Hasrat Mohani, whose ghazal, “Chupke, Chupke” has been made famous by the famous singer Ghulam Ali. The falcon was also a bird of omen. On seeing it Indira Gandhi was fatally shot by her guards in 1984. Saeed Ahmed’s shikra just flew away one day and was never seen again. However, Mian Sahib’s tale of the Mir Sahib, who had a lock of hair of his purdah-nashin beloved plucked by a pet falcon, is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

-The Hindu, 7th April 2014

This March recorded the lowest particulate matter (PM2.5) levels-fine, respirable pollutants-in the past four years. While this could seem like a relief at the moment, scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) say pollution levels are becoming increasingly unpredictable because of erratic meteorological conditions. The average monthly PM2.5 level dropped to 72 microgram per cubic metre this year from 112 (approximately) in March 2012.

Scientists who analysed the data said the extreme pollution event in 2012 could be linked to the dust storm in the Gulf that time. "The 2012 event was like the Saharan dust cloud that has covered England. This year, winds are blowing from cleaner places at a relatively high speed and have swept away the pollutants. Such events can either take air pollution to dangerous levels, or bring it down. So while the local emissions are increasing, we need to factor in climate change," says Gufran Beig, chief project scientist at System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research. The PM2.5 levels in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were around 100 microgram per cubic metre, he said.

IITM, under the ministry of earth sciences, is preparing a report on the link between air quality and climate change. "The higher temperature raises boundary layer and a relatively high wind speed swept away the local pollutants. This brought down the PM2.5 levels in March 2014. The trend will change soon," added Beig.

While the monthly average for March 2012 may not seem too high, there were instances of PM2.5 levels crossing 250 microgram per cubic metre against a standard of 60. "Between October 7 and October 9 in 2012, peak levels touched 500 microgram per cubic metre. The winds that usually come from the northeast and are usually clean changed direction and came from northern India. Burning of the agricultural residue in Punjab and Haryana meant the winds were laden with particles that added to the pollution. Instances of extreme weather have affected pollution levels," said Beig.

"It's obvious that the unusual rain in February and March this time has swept away all pollutants. But I am not sure if the 2012 pollution levels were linked to dust from the Gulf. We will have to go through IITM's study to see the link with climate change," said Anumita Roychowdhury of Centre for Science and Environment.

-The Times of India, 7th April 2014

The National Gallery of Australia had lied that it obtained his expert opinion before buying the 11th century bronze Nataraja from notorious art dealer Subash Kapoor, said former ASI director Dr R. Nagasamy, while responding to the latest controversy over the museum acquiring the stolen idol for a staggering price of $5 million. Ms Robyn Maxwell, senior curator of Asian art at NGA, had claimed she followed the norms in buying art pieces by getting in touch with Dr Nagasamy, an acclaimed authority on Chola bronzes, and he cleared the idol as genuine. It turned out that the idol had been stolen from a temple in Ariyalur and the US-based Kapoor sold it to NGA along with fabricated documents on its authenticity. “It was clear that the museum had already made up its mind to buy this Nataraja and Ms Maxwell lied she got my expert opinion to support the buy. They are in a cover-up operation now and Ms Maxwell mentioned my name to wriggle out of this problem,” Dr Nagasamy said. He showed an email he got from Australia confirming he had had no contact with NGA regarding the Nataraja idol. “NGA claimed they sent me two mails and a fax on the idol in 2008 but I never got any. When I questioned them about this and how they could decide on such big buys (of idols) without consulting experts, they went silent. On the other hand, the museum in its report to art minister George Brandis has said they contacted me on this idol and I supported the acquisition without raising concerns about its provenance. That was a terrible lie,” said the ex-director of ASI, confirming that the international trafficking in idols and antique art pieces involved such fabricated papers and unscrupulous officials collaborating with thieves and smugglers.

-The Asian Age, 7th April 2014

The ongoing exhibition at the National Museum showcases unseen artefacts that belong to the Harappan civilisation, Mauryan and Mughal empires

With museums across the country opening their vaults for a mammoth exhibition currently underway in the national capital, an array of exquisite art objects, ranging from the Harappan civilisation to modern times, have become available for public

viewing for the first time at the Nationa l Museum.

A few Harappan figures, a monumental Naga Deva, an eighth-century Uma-Maheshvara, an animal-headed anthropomorph and a marble tomb of a Mughal lady are among the artefacts being shown for the first time as part of exhibition The Body in Indian Art.

Curated by art historian Naman P Ahuja, the eight-gallery exhibition explores the complex understandings of the ‘Body’ in Indian art through an entire gamut of cultural artefacts such as sculptures, paintings, masks, jewellery, amulets, posters, video installations, music clips and two large textiles.

The 11-week long exhibition at the museum comes after a successful showing in Brussels as part of the art festival Europalia which concluded recently. “Around 20-25 per cent of the 300-odd artefacts in the exhibition have never been shown before and another 60 per cent have seldom been shown as they were lying in museums in small towns and were too fragile to be sent to Brussels,” pointed out Ahuja, an associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

The curator, who has spent years exploring the storerooms (reserve collections) of numerous small regional museums, said he and his curatorial team located many objects that were not on public display. Some were even in the gardens of museums and had thus escaped critical attention from scholars.

A significant new discovery is the boar-headed copper anthropomorph (second or first millennium BC) which was lying unnoticed in a museum storeroom. Exhibited in Brussels for the first time, it has now been catalogued and is on display here.

“It is a rare piece of art that existed between the Harappan civilisation and the Mauryan Empire, and takes the story of Indian gods and goddesses to an earlier date than what we had imagined… It is a huge find and an exciting object for art historians, archaeologists and linguists,” said Ahuja.

Equally fascinating are some tiny Harappan figures that are on display for the first time since they were excavated in 1933. They comprise a steatite Seal (2500-1700 BC from Kalibangan, Rajasthan), a terracotta female figurine with animal horns (2500-1700 BC, Mohenjo-daro) and two horned masks (both almost identical). All these objects have been lying in the cells of ASI at Purana Qila. Similarly, a monumental Naga Deva — a ninth century sculpture — has been lent by the Bhopal Museum, and it has never been shown in a public exhibition before. This remarkable statue is carved from a porous stone that flakes in a manner that gives it the appearance of snakeskin.

National Museum DG, Venu V, said the exhibition is the most extensive collaboration of museums and collectors across the country. “Significantly, it has brought into public domain a number of art objects that have remained largely hidden for the outside world,” he said.

The exhibition also features some objects which did not go to Brussels. An eighth century Uma-Maheshvara, which has been on display in the Bhopal Museum, is one such for instance. Another object being shown for the first time in India is a marble tomb of a Mughal lady (Delhi region, 17th century). Kept in the ASI’s Red Fort Archaeological Museum, it is a wonderful example of Islamic art. Going by its lavish, white marble and fine calligraphy, it must have belonged to a member of the imperial family. Particularly special is the book Akitoosha-i-Ukba (Provision for the Next World). Made of copper pages with silver calligraphy, there are the 99 names of Allah inscribed in this book. Being shown for the first time, this is from the ASI’s Museum, Red Fort. It was made during the reign of Aurangzeb.

The National Museum has also opened its reserve collections for first-time viewing. This includes a page of the Shahnama (written by Persian poet Firdausi between 977 and 1010 AD), depicting the birth of Rustom, the legendary Persian warrior.

It has also lent a Mughal painting of the birth of Mary, based on an engraving by Dutch painter Cornelius Cort (around 1735). Made in the court of Mohammed Shah, it depicts the bathing of new-born Mary, mother of Jesus, by a group of female attendants. The Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar, has lent eight sculptures, collectively known as Ashta Dikpala (Gods of Eight Directions).

-The Pioneer, 8th April 2014

Every museum holds one particular treasure that is more precious than the rest.

We feature five museums in India that have some unique artefacts. If ever you are in any of these places, make sure you drop in at these museums and see it for yourself.

How to enjoy a museum

- Look for a child-friendly museum: Make sure there are interactive exhibits and activities. Look out for fun displays that can spark off your interest and also watch some of the audio-video interactive videos. You could catch something you like.

- Explore online: Research the museum before you visit so you know what to look out for.

- Talk to your friends: Ask around. Trivia and any information that can be shared by them will get you more interested. Ask them about the exciting parts. You could also visit your library and read reviews by other people about the museum.

- Be the quizmaster: No one can stop you from asking questions. Make a list of questions before your visit. In fact the best would be to take a virtual tour.

- Take a camera: By paying a nominal fee you can carry a camera into the museum. The pictures will come in handy when you want to recollect. Keep a journal too.

Reason to visit

Find out why you must visit a museum.

National Dolls Museum, Delhi

A little less than 50 years, the dolls museum in Delhi was built in 1965. It all started when Shankar, late political/editorial cartoonist received his first doll in the early 1950s, from the Hungarian ambassador. It was a Magyar doll, dressed in a colourful, traditionally embroidered costume. Though given as a prize for a drawing and painting competition, Shankar loved the doll and could not bear to part with it. Today, the doll has pride of place in the Shankar Doll Museum in Delhi. She sits resplendent, her costume intact, though old. It was the late prime minister Indira Gandhi who suggested that Shankar should start a permanent museum. The number of dolls grew as state representatives would come and visit the museum, and gift dolls to increase their country representation. The dolls are all antiques.

Address: 4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Nehru House, New Delhi

Visiting hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Input from Swati Daftuar

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai

Once known as the Prince of Wales Museum, one of the main attractions is the armour of Akbar — steel with damascened gold, made in 1581 AD. The cuirass was a common armour during the Mughal period and it consists of two pieces, a breastplate and a back plate. The present breast plate is forged in one piece and was probably moulded to the shape of Akbar’s torso. The quality of the steel, the high water mark and the distinct damascened work indicate that the armour was manufactured with great care. The inscription mentions that it is the only known personal armour of the emperor whose choice of ‘khass’ or personal arsenal is mentioned in his chronicle.

Address: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, 159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai

Timings: 10:15 am to 6:00 pm

Regional Rail Museum, Chennai

Just over 12 years old, the museum is maintained by the Integral Coach Factory. From models of vintage coaches to early signalling equipment you are sure to enjoy your visit. Take the joy ride on the toy train to complete your experience. The star attraction however is the Running Model of a three tier mini train with an automatic signal system. One gets to know all about train’s signals, track crossings and how the rail tracks work. This running scale model also displays the MRTS, suburban and long-distance rail network in Chennai.

Address: ICF Furnishing Rd, Lakshmipuram, Anna Nagar West, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600038

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur

A beautifully laid out museum, it has a palanquin section where you can see a wide collection of old royal palanquins. There are 42 palanquins, of which eight are on display. Palanquins were the popular means of travel for royal ladies up to the second quarter of the 20th century. They were also used by the men folk on special occasions. You must not miss seeing the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin, won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The grand palanquin from the mid 18th century is an exquisite piece of art and of great historic significance. The Mahadol is executed in the rich Gujarati tradition of carved and painted woodwork. The eves of the canopy are of beaten, cast and cut ironwork. The glass panes in wooden casements decorate the walls of the palanquin.

Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tea Museum, Munnar

The Tea Museum in Munnar, was established by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited in 2004. A decade later, they had registered 13.5 lakh footfalls. When you visit you will get to see the tea-making process and tasting some of the teas available. But don’t miss out on seeing the Burian Urn. It is an iron-age burial urn from the second century BC. In the olden days, the urn was used to bury the dead by placing the body inside before it was buried. During cultivation at Periakanal Estate, this urn was unearthed. M.R.P. Lappin, a manager of the estate arranged to place this urn at the High Range Club as an artefact of interest. When the Tea Museum was opened, this was brought in.

Address: Nullatanni, Munnar, Kerala

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

-The Hindu, 8th April 2014

A section of Muslim clerics has raked up the controversial 2012 partial demolition of an old masjid in Mehrauli to dissuade Muslim voters from voting for Congress in the Lok Sabha elections. At a press briefing in Lucknow, the clerics accused Congress of damaging at least six mosques in Delhi, one of them Gausiya Masjid, and urged the community to consider other options like AAP.

Last week, Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, had urged the community to vote for Congress while his brother, Yahya Bukhari, voiced support for AAP. This divergence of views among Muslim leaders took another turn when in Lucknow, Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said, in the presence of Yahya Bukhari, that Congress rule was dangerous for Muslims. Jawwad accused Congress of demolishing mosques, citing Gausiya Masjid in Mehrauli.

The masjid is still intact and a place of worship. In December 2012, acting on court orders, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had carried out a demolition exercise against unauthorized structures near the 700-year-old mosque during which a wall of the monument was also accidently razed. The incident had outraged the community though DDA denied that any religious structure was touched.

The residents of Gausiya colony can still recall the demolition of the wall. Two masjids are located a short distance away from ASI-protected Jahaz Mahal. Both are unprotected and are said to be under Delhi Wakf Board and located on wakf land, claim locals.

This, however, is disputed by DDA which claims the land belongs to it which is why they had carried out the demolitions. Access to the two masjids - one of them the structure in question - is through a big cluster of slums, tents and garbage dumps. The monument is in a state of neglect. The masjids are completely surrounded by slums and can barely be seen from the main road.

Both mosques figure prominently in the Zafar Hasan listing as well as the INTACH heritage list and both are additions to the many ancient structures that are misused and neglected in Mehrauli. The listings, however, do not mention the name 'Gausiya Masjid' but a sign painted over one of the masjids give the building this identity. The buildings are structurally in a good condition with an arched plinth and multiple arches on the roofs. But the original character has changed.

"The original facades have been painted over and extensions added to the building over the years. Both are living mosques and have regular worshippers coming here,'' said an official.

DDA had undertaken the 2012 demolition action to remove the slum clusters which, according to it, had encroached upon DDA land that was originally a green area. "

The encroachments, however, returned within days and another drive was carried out. It was during this drive that locals alleged the ancient masjid had been razed. It was later proved that only a wall had been accidentally demolished and has since then been rebuilt,'' said a source.

-The Times of India, 9th April 2014

Pollution in Yamuna or Ganga do not figure in the manifestos of the capital's three major political parties nor does any focused plan on addressing the crisis of rivers.

Despite having its roots in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party doesn't talk about its plans for the extremely polluted Yamuna. With little progress made on the Ganga and Yamuna action plans, the Congress merely aims to "clean rivers on a large scale". The BJP, meanwhile, continues to pitch its controversial pet project-interlinking of rivers. Environmentalists say little thought has gone into addressing urgent ecological concerns like the state of rivers or their position on dams.

Congress in Delhi oversaw most part of the Yamuna Action Plan's Phase II but, as per reviews by various civil society groups, neither YAP I or II contributed much in improving the health of the river. About Rs 6,500 crore has been spent on the river in the past 19 years, according to Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan. But this time, activists were hoping that AAP, which is more of a local party, would have a plan for Yamuna.

"AAP doesn't say anything on rivers. Since it appeared to be a more forward looking party, we hoped it would have some radical plans for the river and floodplains. This is a letdown," Manoj Misra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan said. The only 'radical' proposition by AAP is to transfer the ownership of minor minerals and forest produce to local communities and have a "royalty and revenue sharing agreement" with them in cases of commercial exploitation of natural resources.

However, there are even more serious concerns about BJP's manifesto that plans to interlink rivers and provide "piped water to all households". "It's a disastrous proposition to interlink rivers. It's not just unscientific. The fact that it has not taken off in the past 10 years is proof of the fact that it can't be done. It's very expensive and can lead to huge displacement," said Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of SANDRP (South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People).

BJP has been proposing interlinking of rivers since 2004 because it sees it to be a means to provide irrigation to all states, Thakkar says. He adds that the "right wing attempt to save the Ganga" also doesn't reflect in the manifesto. Instead a very populist agenda comes across with BJP promising water for all but not reflecting on how it will manage that feat, he says. In the cultural heritage section of BJP manifesto, it does mention about "purifying" Ganga water but there is no action plan on how it can be purified.

The plight of Ganga that hasn't got any focused agenda from the three parties seems even more pertinent considering that the PM candidates of BJP and AAP are contesting from Varanasi.

Congress, for its part, has a very simplistic view on rivers-it wants to "clean rivers on a large scale". "Something that is successful can be replicated. But the action plans have not been successful, so I don't know how they plan to clean all rivers. The manifesto should have elaborated on how they will clean the rivers," said Thakkar. However, Congress has managed to put down a few concrete plans-like launching a Green National Accounts so that environmental costs are reflected in national accounts and setting up a National Environmental Appraisal and Monitoring Authority for environmental appraisals.

-The Times of India, 9th April 2014

Gladys Abankwa-Meier-Klodt is trained as a micro-biologist and its her spirit of inquiry and pursuit toward detailing that surfaces in her book Delhi’s Diplomatic Domains: Chanceries & Residences of Chanakyapuri & Imperial New Delhi (Full Circle; Rs 3,499). Wife of a senior German diplomat and the daughter of career diplomats from Ghana, Klodt took over two years to collate material for the 40-odd diplomatic offices in Chanakyapuri.

On April 4, the book celebration at the Taj Mahal Hotel included artefacts from over 11 embassies including France, Ghana, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Venezuela.

The 245-page coffee-table book has the history and architecture mapped of each embassy, crowned with government documents, maps, letters and photos from their respective archives. Founder-Director of Aurodhan Art Gallery in Pondicherry, Lalit Verma is the photographer for the book.

Klodt chooses five of her favourite design-centric details that range from exposed brick facades to arcaded pool houses.

Connected Inside Out The Residence of the Australian High Commission was the work of the prodigious expatriate US architect Joseph Allen Stein. His signature “regional Modernist” architectural style, embeds his buildings in lush, landscaped gardens. Stone, perforated solid screens, water bodies and wide verandahs are used in the Residence to offset the effects of the harsh climate. The bright representational area is extended outwards by tall windows into the surrounding verandah and the garden, creating an overwhelming sense of openness, space, light, and tranquillity.

African Heritage In Sudan’s embassy, stately royal palms line the driveway from the embassy’s entrance to the Chancery, imparting to the compound a distinctly Nilotic feel. A unique feature of the embassy is its mosque, clad in local pink and red sandstone like the rest of the complex, with an open, dome-shaped tower on its western facade, facing Mecca. The house of worship is open to Muslim members of the diplomatic community on Fridays and was originally conceived to be the first cultural centre of an African country in New Delhi.

Symbol of Identity Bhutan’s mission stands out as an unparalleled example of representation in traditional architectural idiom. Every building is built following time-honoured, Bhutanese practices, which call for detailed, symbolic ornamentation. Though one of the smallest countries, its mission occupies the 10th largest allotment in Chanakyapuri, part of which was purportedly once a cremation ground.

Point of View
The Embassy of Brazil, located in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone rather than Chanakyapuri, has the distinction of having continually occupied the same premises since 1949. An exceptional feature of the property is the arcaded pool house, painted in a distinctive blue, and open to the sky. Originally a closed building capped by a roof, it is now a focal point in the verdant lawns, fronted by a landing which doubles as a dais.

Of the Earth
Belgium chose a highly unconventional form for its embassy. Designed by muralist and sculptor Satish Gujral, the country’s representation eschews traditional embassy form, adopting Mughal features in monument-like fashion both inside and out. The only allusion to Belgian-ness is the exposed brick of the facade. Its unique topography made the recreational facilities of the embassy a favourite of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who often played tennis on the embassy’s courts.

-The Indian Express, 10th April 2014

The Delhi High Court has pulled up the city government for not cleaning the polluted Najafgarh drain, which is affecting the health of residents due to toxic gases emitted from it and which later merges into the Yamuna.

A division bench of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Deepa Sharma asked the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to file a status report indicating the steps taken to clean the Najafgarh drain.

Expressing displeasure, the court said: "There is no governance in Delhi. In parts of it unauthorised colonies are built where there is problem of water logging, citizens throwing garbage everywhere, drains are not clean, Yamuna river is not clean. Nobody is working to make the city clean. You (government and other authorities) can't tinker with the nature. These are natural resources, Yamuna can't be treated like this. Something has to be done."

Asking the civic body and the DJB to submit the status report, the bench said: "The situation has to be solved and implemented." It further said the court had already issued direction that no sewage flows into any drain meant to carry rain water but despite that it seems that has not been followed.

The court order came recently as it was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by residents of Shakti Nagar through advocate Shiv Charan Garg, alleging that the drain is passing through the colony and spoiling the health of people.

The PIL said that due to pollution, people have to spend a lot of money in frequently repairing electronic items like air conditioners, fridges, and the like.

Swine flu, chikungunya etc have affected the people, said the plea, adding that breeding mosquitoes also spread diseases in the area and rest of Delhi as the drain flows into the Yamuna.

-The Business Standard, 10th April 2014

In a first of sorts, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a statutory animal welfare organisation, has won a case against a pet shop owner for illegal possession of exotic species. This sends out the message that those dealing with exotic species in the city will no longer go scot free.

T. Thiyagarajan, Secretary, SPCA, told The Hindu that on March 24, an animal welfare activist informed them that a cotton tuft-eared Marmoset (a primate) and a blue and yellow South America Macaw (a large-sized parrot) were kept in a pet shop in Arumbakkam for sale. Following this, the organisation sent its inspectors and seized the two. The issue was then taken to a mobile court by the society.

The marmoset was doing badly when the SPCA authorities seized it. The animal was paralysed and had injuries on the tail.

At the mobile court, an advocate for the pet shop argued that it wanted to challenge the seizure. The court directed both petitioners to contest the case in the Fifth Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore.

C. Umamaheswari, Magistrate, V Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, in her order, observed that the SPCA had the right to protect exotic species found in the country. Similarly, the court also accepted the SPCA’s argument that if the accused was allowed to provide treatment to the seized marmoset, it would affect the reputation of the SPCA. The court agreed to the SPCA’s suggestion that the marmoset and the macaw be handed over to the Vandalur zoo.

-The Hindu, 11th April 2014

The paintings were done by prehistoric man with white kaolin

Rock art showing bulls with humps and without humps, deer, line drawings of a human being and jungle fowl and men celebrating perhaps after a successful hunt or a cattle raid have been found in two rock shelters in Tamil Nadu. Prehistoric man did them with white kaolin.

While one group of paintings can be dated to the Iron Age (circa 1500 BCE to circa 500 BCE), the second one may belong to the early historic age (circa fifth century BCE to circa third century CE).

P. Balamurugan, research scholar, Department of History, Pondicherry University, discovered them in March. He found them on the right bank of the river Vaigai, near Arugaveli village, seven km east of Mayiladumparai, in the Kadamalaikundu region of Andipatti taluk, Theni district.

The two rock shelters are in different locations on a small hill, forming part of the Western Ghats.

K. Rajan, Professor of History, Pondicherry University, said the two rock shelters are called “Chitrakalpudavu” in Tamil. ‘Chitram’ means painting, ‘kal’ is rock and ‘pudavu’ means shelter, he explained.

On the ceiling and inner wall of one shelter are painted bulls with and without humps, a bull lying on the ground, deer and jungle fowl. They have been depicted in a circular manner around a human figure.

While the bulls have been fully painted with white pigment, the human being and the jungle fowl are line drawings.

Dr. Rajan estimated that this group of paintings belong to the Iron Age.

The paintings in the other shelter show men with upraised hands, as if they are celebrating after a victorious hunt or a cattle raid. Among the paintings here are a deer and an animal with a long tail.

This group of rock paintings could belong to the early historic period, he said.

An Iron Age habitation mound, littered with black and red ware, is situated at the foothill of this site, suggesting that these paintings could have been executed by a proto-historic community, Dr. Rajan says.

Rock paintings were found during a recent field work in a rock shelter, Kutiraikattiputavu, that is, a shelter where horses are tied.

There are more than 120 rock art sites in Tamil Nadu. depicting hunting scenes, various animals, birds and geometric designs.

-The Hindu, 11th April 2014

A sculpture by veteran artist Latika Katt that stands in the lawns of the National Gallery of Modern Art was found damaged on Friday. NGMA authorities say they are trying to establish whether it was vandalized or suffered natural degradation.

"It is a 6.5x6.5 foot sculpture. It may have been vandalized but we will not know till we check the CCTV footage," said NGMA director Rajeev Lochan. He added that the gallery has a full-fledged restoration team which will assess the damage and figure out how it can be restored.

Katt's work that stands at the entrance of the original NGMA building is a mud and cowdung landscape. According to art experts, this kind of material is also susceptible to degradation. If it indeed is a case of vandalism, it may be worrying since the lawns have many valuable works of art including contemporary art star Subodh Gupta's shiny stainless steel banyan tree.

Katt is a highly awarded sculptor who prefers working with material like marble, wood, metal and clay and cow dung. Her inspiration lies mostly in nature. The 67-year-old's works have been displayed in galleries across the country and are part of private collections in the UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Venezuela, Israel and Hong Kong. She won the commission to create a sculpture of Jawaharlal Nehru which stands at Jawahar Bhavan in the capital. Katt, who divides her time between Varanasi and Delhi, has also sculpted a figure of Rajiv Gandhi.

-The Times of India, 12th April 2014

The forest department came across illegal structures, including farmhouses, in the Asola Bhatti sanctuary in south Delhi after it was surveying the area for illegal encroachments.

The department’s action came after Hindustan Times on March 20 reported massive encroachment in Delhi’s lone sanctuary.

To find out the nature and extent of encroachment, a team of forest department officials and experts did a reconnaissance of the sanctuary on April 3 and 4.

The team collated on-ground information with satellite imagery, used global positioning system and even took photographs.

Data analysis happened in a Geospatial Delhi Limited (GSDL) lab and found about 15 farmhouses and similar constructions, encroaching 400 acres of precious forest land. The forest department suspects there could be 50 such structures inside the 6,814-acre sanctuary. No such construction is allowed inside a wildlife sanctuary.

The environment secretary has asked the forest department to book the offenders under the Forest (conservation) Act 1980 and Wild Life (protection) Act 1972.

The possible actions include issuance of notice, asking the encroachers why they should not be evicted, and demolition of built-up areas when encroachment is established. The roads approaching to farmhouses may also be closed unless there is right of way granted by a forest settlement officer.

The forest department is looking at immediate demarcation of forest and private land. A highlevel committee will prepare a strategy for smooth encroachment removal. Action will also be taken against field staff in case there is further encroachment.

The department has admitted all past measures to check such habitat destructions have failed.

No ‘first offence report’ or ‘first information report’ was ever lodged. No notice was ever issued. The sanctuary is part of the ridge. The Delhi ridge and the Yamuna two are Delhi’s most important natural features. The ridge prevents hot winds from Rajasthan, checks pollution, helps groundwater recharge. Major part of the Ridge was notified in 1994 and 1996 after which no construction should have been allowed.

-The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2014

Hundreds of acres of precious forest land have been lost to illegal farmhouses. The forest department has found at least 15 sprawling farmhouses and other such structures inside south Delhi’s Asola-Bhatti wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to more than 250 species of plants, 200 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies and 10 species each of animals including nilgai, mongoose, fox, porcupine, hyena and jackal. The 6,814-acre sanctuary is part of the ecologically-critical Delhi Ridge whose destruction means desertification of Delhi, fall in its water table and more pollution.

The department insists this is just a “sample”; the actual number of illegal farmhouses could be more than 50. No construction can take place inside a wildlife sanctuary without the permission of National Board for Wildlife, headed by the PM.

These luxury homes have wiped out more than 400 acres — think 200 soccer fields — of forest land. Two such encroachments take up as much as 90 acres each. An acre of farmhouse land in south Delhi costs around Rs. 6 to Rs. 40 crore, depending on the location. Delhi’s environment secretary Sanjeev Kumar told HT: “I have instructed the conservator of forests to act in cases of encroachment.” Action would mean issuing notices, registering cases, eviction and demolition.

In Asola-Bhatti, Delhi’s lone wildlife sanctuary, these farmhouses with gates and huge boundary walls also have approach roads, besides electricity and water supplies.

These structures, owned allegedly by some prominent citizens, violate provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 and Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 and are liable for eviction according to the directions of the Supreme Court.

The farmhouses must have taken years to come up but no case was ever lodged. Ravi Agrawal, a former member of Delhi’s ridge management board, said, “It is high-value land. No land-grab happens without the government’s knowledge.”

Political compulsions have already allowed Sanjay Colony, a 128-acre illegal settlement housing around 40,000 people, to stay put in the sanctuary despite eviction orders from courts.

-The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2014

A team from Rajasthan will examine whether the structure can be repaired or not. The dilapidated building in the middle of Andhra Pradesh Secretariat on the banks of Hussainsagar, which is considered an eyesore among other modern blocks, is in the throes of demolition.

The erstwhile “Saifabad” Palace that once stood alone on a hillock has undergone several repairs and housed offices of important people like former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao could now be demolished to create parking space for the make-shift Secretariat for Seemandhra or the residual Andhra Pradesh.

The historic building was constructed by the 6th Nizam Mahaboob Ali Pasha in 1888. It was named the Saifabad Palace after the locality--Saifabad. In 1941, the department of Finance and Public Works was shifted to the Saifabad Palace. The building stood as the centre of administration of the Government of Hyderabad.

The palace portion housed the powerful general administration department (GAD) which included the office of the chief minister and the chief secretary, besides a couple of other departments, the library, a post office and archives of the Secretariat.

Many prime ministers of the erstwhile Nizam era, like Maharaj Krishna Pershad, Sir Ali Imam, Sur Akbar Hyder, Nawab of Chattari and Mirza Ismail functioned from the building, which was the centre of administration even after police action in 1948. Even Bakle, ICS, from Maharashtra operated from this building as a chief administrator under military government. Even his successor M K Velodi, ICS, discharged his duties from the same place.

The designated Andhra Pradesh chief minister Burgula Ramkrishna Rao functioned from this building from 1952. Subsequently, this building was used by chief ministers, home ministers and by the GAD. Since 1946, after the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the building continued to be a centre of administration for many chief ministers.

Former chief secretary Narendra Luther says that the demolition will remove another historic landmark from the city. “It is worth reflecting that after the integration of Hyderabad with the Indian Union, we have not constructed a single building we could be proud of. On the other hand, there is no count of buildings which we have, or allowed to be, demolished like the Diwan Deodhi, the Bashirbagh Palace, the Mahboob Mansion, the Khilwat and now Asman Garb Palace and the Saifabad Palace.”

The map available with the survey office indicated that “G” Block as “Finance Office”. The map was the first set of maps of Hyderabad City drawn in a fully scientific cartographic method, available in printed sheets in the scale of 400 feet to an inch.

The “G” Block is the only surviving building at present out of the several old buildings in the Secretariat of Nizam's days. It is a two-storey large building with an annexe to the south. It is built in classical European style with grand semi-circular arches, imposing arched-portico on the North, composite as well as Corinthian columns and pilasters on the façade deep cornices and parapets --all represent a typical building style prevalent in late 19th century Hyderabad.

It has deep verandahs, high ceilings, thick exterior made of stone, granite and lime. Its cool interiors minimises the need for air-conditioners. Therefore, an energy-efficient building must be preserved even as per energy conservation principles. The main load bearing structure of the building does not show any signs of structural damage. The building's exterior puts up a show of poor upkeep, apparently a result of deliberate neglect caused by intent and talks about its imminent demolition.

Interestingly, the Government will have to pay nothing for the demolition since it has received Rs 60 lakh from a firm under an agreement to allow it to cart away the useful material such as furniture, doorways and wooden beams, said to have been procured by the Nizam from Burma.

Vintage lift

The most valuable part of the structure is the vintage lift, a classic piece. Successive chief ministers, especially NTR, took a fancy to it. Another masterpiece, which the contractors will be proud to possess, is the massive teak staircase connecting the two floors. “It is in such a good shape that it can be straightway used for another building of the same size.

Similarly, the beams supporting the roof are long enough to meet the wood requirements of a huge building,” says an official Vedakumar of Forum for Better Hyderabad, fighting for the Saifabad Palace for over a decade, argues that any building may become unfit for use in its current state if neglected over a protracted period of time. In spite of non-maintenance, the “G” Block is structurally sound. The alleged concern of the government's own departmental engineers about the safety of the building cannot be the final word on the subject.

Following the efforts by NGOs, the High Court of Andhra Pradesh has already dismissed a petition by the government seeking demolition. Subsequently, the Andhra Pradesh Government, through the GAD Principal Secretary, has given an assurance that the building will not be demolished.

In a recent development, a team of experts from Rajasthan has been entrusted to study the 126-year-old heritage structure, and report whether it could be preserved or not. Governor’s advisor Salauddin Ahmed, Special Chief Secretary (Tourism) Chandana Khan and other officers visited unused “G” Block at Secretariat.

The need to demolish the “G” Block arose as the H-South Block in the Secretariat was proposed to be allocated to the chief minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh. Intelligence officials have examined the need to demolish the “G” Block for security reasons and also for providing parking space for Andhra Pradesh Secretariat after June 2, the appointed day for bifurcation of the state and carving out of Telangana.

Following this, the Governor’s advisor inspected the site and decided to invite experts from Rajasthan to suggest some measures to be taken on the structure. “We are not in a hurry to take any decision on the “G” Block. The team from Rajasthan will examine whether it can be repaired or not. They will also examine whether it can be restored or not. The government will take a decision on the structure. We are not in a hurry,” says Salauddin Ahmed.

Meanwhile, representatives of Forum For A Better Hyderabad called on Governor’s advisor AN Roy and submitted a memorandum to him not to demolish the “G” Block.

-The Deccan Herald, 13th April 2014

For the first time in the country, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has launched a free mobile phone app to assist tourists in exploring the undiscovered, less-frequented monuments of Delhi as well as plan their itinerary in the national capital. If successful, the initiative might be emulated in other states too.

Titled ASI-Delhi Circle, the 3.92 MB app is the brainchild of ASI Delhi chief, Superintendent Archaeologist Vasant Kumar Swarankar, who suggested the idea to the heritage conservation agency at a meet in Aurangabad earlier this year. The app is available for all smartphones and can be downloaded from PlayStore.

Divided into four major sections, the app gives complete information about the ASI as well as monuments under its supervision. The first section ‘Monuments’ gives two separate lists — one, of all the popular monuments. The other gives a list of every heritage structure in the city under ASI protection — including archaic gateways, stepwells and places even Delhiites might not have heard of.

“Delhi is an ancient city and many monuments, located in posh localities or heavily crowded residential complexes, are often forgotten when compared to popular heritage sites such as India Gate, Red Fort and Humayun’s tomb. For example, how many people know of Bade Khan and Chote Khan tomb or Bagh-e-Alam Gumbad in Defence Colony in South Delhi? We go to Hauz Khas village so many times for its fine-dining restaurants. But I never knew that a monument, Biwi-aur-Dadi-ka-Gumbad, existed just steps away from the market until I used this app,” Monika Sharma, an IT professional, said.

Along with the name, a picture and brief description of the monument, the app lists its historical importance, names in local parlance and published works for academic references. Moreover, it mentions the nearest Metro station, railway station and bus stand for the convenience of tourists, particularly foreigners. There is also a provision to share the details on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other sites.

For the convenience of tourists, Google map facility has been added to each monument to ensure visitors have no problem finding the exact location.

The second section of the app titled ‘Gallery’ has a slideshow of pictures of all monuments captured in moonlight.

-The Indian Express, 13th April 2014

A five-storeyed gopuram at the temple entrance too collapsed several years ago

The gali gopuram of Sri Agastyeswara temple in Peddacheppali village in Kamalapuram mandal, constructed during 11/12th century AD, collapsed recently due to lack of maintenance.

Peddacheppali was capital of Renati Chola kings and finds mention in the Thippalur inscription during Punya Kumar, a Renati Chola king’s rule.

The first-ever Telugu inscription prepared in Renati Chola dynasty came to light and historian P.V. Parabrahma Sastry deduced that Peddacheppali was capital in their kingdom.

Peddacheppali became a habitation after Pakanati Kapu brothers, who came from northern India, cut down a forest and levelled it, and hence the village was named Peddachappalli after the eldest of the brothers.

The village has Sri Agastyeswara Swamy and Sri Chennakesava Swamy temples on one premises.

Sage Aastya lived here for some time and installed a Sri Agastyeswara Sivalingam. After he left, locals offered prayers in the temple. With the onset of Kaliyuga, none performed pooja and the area turned into a forest with wild shrubs and mud hills formed on the Sivalingam.

When Chappalli got trees cut down for forming a village, a valmeekam surfaced and local people offered prayers. Subsequently, wild animals began thronging the area and the villagers dug up the sand hills and the Sivalingam surfaced. Then Vadderaju constructed a temple around the Sivalingam.

The Chola kings who visited the area constructed Sri Chennakesava Swamy temple beside Sri Agastyeswara Swamy temple and the place became a Siva-Kesava pilgrim centre.

A five-storeyed gopuram at the temple entrance collapsed several years ago and it remnants are seen now along with the dhwajastambham . The gopuram atop the sanctum sanctorum is circular in shape and it has a large Sivalingam in the main temple and Nandeeswara with a snake around its neck. Sri Parvathi Devi idol is to the left of the Sivalingam.

Sri Chennakesava Swamy temple has Lord Vishnu with four hands holding sankham , chakram and a club and abhaya hastam . The temple also has idols of Sri Ganapati, Sri Valli Devasena Sahitha Sri Subramanya Swamy, Sri Garudalwar and idols of Dasavatharam and figurines of Chola king and queen.

Prouda Devarayalu was said to have developed the temple in the 15th century. The local people urged the authorities to renovate the ancient temple, which depicts the historic significance of the area.

-The Hindu, 13th April 2014

Is there any connection between the observance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and several tragedies that have occurred around the time over the years?

Pachipeko was a young man fond of hunting on the week-ends. Like many other Catholics of the Agra-Delhi Archdiocese, he had been named by the Italian Capuchin fathers, who made it a point to christen boys and girls born in the parish with names popular in their own country. So one found the likes of Leo, Pascal, Classtica, Veronica, Francisca, Filgensius, Scholastica, Fidelis, Contapa, Petrus, Betus, Verancio, Paulina, Sanfaroza, Valentina, Cecilia Liguori, Linus and Pasqina walking about as living examples. Well, whenever Pachipeko went for a shoot in Gurgaon, his mother-in-law, Dulcina Monica (nicknamed Dacho Munia) would nag him so much that one day he shot her and then himself. The tragedy occurred a few days before Easter. After that there were rumours that the parish priest, Fr. Leo was woken up every night by Dacho Munia asking him (sic) to pray for her deliverance from purgatory. Many years later Fr. Leo himself was stabbed to death by his servant, whom he had caught stealing. This tragedy too took place during Eastertide.

Not far from Delhi, Father Adeodatus was murdered by thieves in his room at the Sardhana church built by Begum Sumroo. That was just after Easter. A bigger Easter-time tragedy took place at the Taj Mahal, where a British major shot dead his wife and her paramour on a moonlight night. The event led to another military officer writing a book, now not available, “Murder at the Taj Mahal”. It was published in 19th Century London and probably (just a hunch) inspired T. S. Eliot to write his play “Murder in the Cathedral”.

Another case is that of a student, Caleb who was shot dead in his hostel room over a one-sided affair with a bishop’s daughter on one of the 40 days of Easter. Okhla was the favourite angling spot at one time. It was there that Cecil killed his wife’s lover after he picked up a fight with him over the right to fish at a certain spot. After that Cecil went home and slit his wife’s throat before escaping to Najafgarh, where he was caught near the jheel with his young sister-in-law, whom he had been trying to befriend. That happened many years ago and Cecil was hanged at the old Delhi jail, situated near the Khooni Darwaza, while his sister-in-law became a nun of the Order of Poor Clairs. But she had to leave the order after being allegedly bullied by her seniors and ended up marrying the kind cook attached to the priests’ quarters. The cook happened to be several years older and had lost his first wife, the second one (Munni) delivered a daughter who survived them both, but died as an adolescent in a convent of TB. The strange thing about the “Motia affair”, as it came to be known (after the cook’s name) was that both he and his wife died (in different years), one on Maundy Thursday and the other on Good Friday, while the daughter passed away on Whit-Sunday, the day Eastertide ends.

A strange story is about Goodu James who waited for the parish priest to come for Easter blessing to his house, telling the reverend father that his time was up and he must die now that Pasca (Easter) had passed. The same night he expired to the great grief of his wife and daughter (named Khushboo). Even more stranger was the death of Sushil Wilson, just 25, who was drowned while rescuing a friend caught in a whirlpool. They had gone fishing in the ruins of Birbal’s Hans Mahal, near Akbar’s Tomb, where fish is plentiful, as rohu and barm (eel) take shelter under the broken slabs of the mahal. Sushil, the only child of his parents, met his end, after promising his mother enough fish to last till Easter Wednesday. It is said that the mahal is haunted and anglers often lose their lives in the quagmire there. However, the biggest Easter time tragedy in comparatively recent times was the suicide of a dancing girl and her lover (son of a bullion merchant) in a Delhi park on Alleluia Day (Saturday before Easter). One of them was a Muslim and the other a Hindu. Surprisingly enough, they too had ended up at the Christian (and Jewish) Passover time. Is there any connection with the observance of Christ’s death and resurrection (falling on April 20 this year) or are these just coincidences strung together by kismet, which seemingly leads to many tragedies at Christmastide too?

-The Hindu, 14th April 2014

Conservation work on the 16th-century Nila Gumbad near Humayun's Tomb complex holds special meaning for people living in the nearby Nizamuddin Basti. The tiles missing from the dome will be replaced by those made by youths from the basti trained by craftsmen from Uzbekistan.

Work at the Humayun's Tomb complex and adjoining monuments was taken up a few months ago by Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The protected monuments in the area come under the purview of Archaeological Survey of India.

Nila Gumbad is one of the integral components of the redevelopment plans for the Humayun's Tomb complex. "Work on the Nila Gumbad is almost complete. Nearly 15,000 tiles (almost 10%) were missing. The tile manufacturing unit at Nizamuddin Basti has been scaled up to meet the requirement. Master craftsmen from Uzbekistan have taught youths from the basti to make tiles exactly like those used by the Mughals," said Rajpal Singh, chief engineer, AKTC.

The conservation work is being implemented by a multi-disciplinary team of AKTC, with co-funding from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. Post conservation, plans to integrate the monument with the Humayun's Tomb world heritage complex remain uncertain, despite talks with Northern Railway going on for a few months now. "Northern Railway has not permitted implementation of a landscape plan agreed to in writing in 2011. They also need to demolish a room which stands in the way of integrating the monument," an official said.

In 2008, ASI had uncovered arcaded platform stretches near Nila Gumbad, which proved the monument was originally part of the Humayun's Tomb complex. Millions of visitors who come to see Humayun's Tomb do not get the chance to explore the Nila Gumbad which encompasses Persian influence on Mughal architecture and is unique for its tile work.

Conservation work for Nila Gumbad are based on exhaustive documentation and an enhanced understanding of the structure, which is the earliest Mughal-era building in Delhi. Sandstone jallies, which were removed sometime in the 20th century, will also be restored. Major cement plastering on the interior and exterior surfaces carried out in past repair works is being carefully removed and replaced with traditional lime plaster.

-The Times of India, 14th April 2014

All this while, Red Fort’s name has been mud, or so it seems in the literal sense of the term. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has removed over 1,800 tonnes of mud in the past two months from the floor of the Delhi Darwaza of the historic Red Fort. According to officials, the work is only half done and it will take more time to remove the mud. The excess mud on top of the gate had piled up towards the end of the 1857 Mutiny.

A history claims responsibility of this huge amount of mud being carried on through ages. It is claimed that the British used this gate to keep an eye on the activities of freedom fighters. They also used this gate to fire cannons and they put mud on the roof to secure the cannons from the scorching heat. When the British Army seized the fort, it dumped earth on the ramparts above the Delhi and Lahore Gates to make a ramp that would serve as a defence wall. Left as it is for the next 157 years the melba was stressing the structures and had become a cause of seepage during the monsoon. The mud not only causes seepage but also puts excessive load on the gates when it is heavy with water. Also, a lot of vegetation crops up in the melba.

The additional weight on the ramparts became a major cause of worry for the ASI. Using archival pictures from 1858, it showed that the ramparts also had merlons (decorative battlements), which were probably buried under the dumped earth. A large portion of the fort’s facade was also lost under the mud ramp. “We then decided to remove the earth from the ramparts of Delhi Gate to not only reduce the load over the monument but also avoid stagnation of water and seepage problems. Since the work started about a month ago, we have removed about 1,800 tonnes of mud and exposed buried portions of the structure. We are still halfway through the task and it will take about two more months to remove another 1,800 tonnes of mud,” said officials.

The original deposit of mud on the ramparts is about 10 feet high and it is being removed manually. “We exposed a half-buried chhatri. We also came across storage places for gun shells, cannonballs, gunpowder, etc made by the British. These will be retained as they are also a part of the Fort’s history,” said a senior ASI official.

A similar mud ramp and defence wall also exists over the Lahore Gate’s ramparts, but this will be removed later. Here, the mud deposit has been developed into a manicured lawn that is used for seating VIPs during the Independence Day celebrations.

-The Pioneer, 14th April 2014

To mark the World Heritage Day on April 18, the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has set up a month-long exhibition themed on “Modern Heritage”.

The exhibition, set to begin on Tuesday at the National Gallery of Modern Art, will showcase the major works of architect Raj Rewal — Hall of Nations in Pragati Maidan and Parliament library.

Interestingly, some of these buildings might be demolished under the proposed Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Plan by the Urban Development Ministry. Earlier, Rewal, the chairman of Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), had opposed the tearing down of these “iconic structures”, arguing that the demolition would adversely impact the landscape of the area.

Asserting that every country except India recognises modern-era buildings as part of their legacy, the curator of the exhibition, and INTACH convener, AGK Menon said, “Here, we focus on just ancient and medieval era monuments. What the state needs to understand is that if these modern structures such as the Parliament library, Connaught Place and Hall of Nations are demolished, it will be a loss to our cultural memory. We are trying to bring home the point that heritage needs to be defined as ‘modern’ too. We have even sent a list of monuments to the government that qualify as modern heritage.”

Menon said the exhibition will raise critical questions on what theoretical frameworks Indian architects should follow and if the benchmarks for evaluation should always be western models.

On display are not just maps, photographs and designs of popular buildings Rewal has constructed, but also lesser-known works he undertook for various government agencies, particularly the low-cost housing projects in Navi Mumbai and Delhi.

In every structure, Rewal’s inherent belief in creating open spaces — terraces, courtyards, balconies — is clearly reflected. The Asian Games Village, 1982, to house athletes, for example, comprises 500 housing units designed in a 35-acre precinct. It has open spaces, linked with shaded pedestrian pathways and enough parking area.

Rewal said he draws most upon his inspiration from traditional Indian architecture, reshaping it to suit modern sensibilities.

“The basis of traditional architecture has always been to counter the scorching heat of the Indian summer. The typology of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is similar to Venice. Having worked abroad, it took me some time to imbibe these values. The narrow winding streets, cool and shady courtyards which diffuse light influenced my design for the Asian Games Village,” he told Newsline.

-The Indian Express, 15th April 2014

Last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar wrote poetry in Punjabi, too, and had his works published at Royal Press situated inside Red Fort in 1855. A mathematics professor of Benaras College John Thompson had his A Hindustani-English Dictionary published in 1881 and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, known as the brain behind Aligarh Muslim University had written A'thar-as-Sanadid (Great Monuments) documenting historical places of Delhi in 1854. These details are not mere trivia but actual works of literature housed along with 16,000 other rare works at Hazrat Shah Waliullah library at Pahari Imli area of Jama Masjid.

What started as a hobby among a group of friends to collect books in 1994 has today translated into a well stocked literary treat. Research students frequent the library for unknown details about Islamic history, complete collection of Urdu works of Zauq, Dard and Mir or handwritten prescription notes of fabled hakims of Delhi. Among the gems on shelves are a 625-year-old Arabic book on logic, a 225-year-old Persian manuscript on Sufism, a century-old handwritten Sanskrit Ramayana and a Bengali-to-English dictionary.

This library also doubles as the office of Delhi Youth Welfare Association, an NGO that promotes education among local Muslims. Muhammed Naeem, who heads the NGO, tells that the place where the library is today used to be the meeting place of his friends. "We would while the night away, playing carrom or cards here. Riots of 1987 put an end to our night time gathering," he recalls.

His friends formed the NGO in 1990 and started going from door to door collecting textbooks to be distributed to students in need. Along with course material people also started donating some of these rare books as they had no place to preserve them.

Some of the texts he got, such as a 108-year-old Holy Quran with 113 styles of calligraphy, a dictionary by a Begum of Bhopal in six languages and ancient maps detailing history of the city, made him turn his personal space into a library. They decided to name the library after a prominent eighteenth century Islamic scholar Shah Waliullah, known for his works that talked of teaching Islam in scientific context of that era and his Arabic to Persian translation of Holy Quran so that more and more people could get the true message. The library has been open to all since then and gets a steady flow of visitors from India and abroad.

Despite being a treasure trove of Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit and Hindi works, including some rare manuscripts, the library also is a picture of official apathy. Space constraints and poor infrastructure mean some of these exceptional works might be lost to termites. Sikander Changezi, who usually helps students in their research works at the library, explains that the place is run on the contribution of members and a new space is the need of the hour. They have packed some books in plastic and lined their shelves with water resistant materials. Changezi is now working on building an online catalogue of these books so that the books can be accessed and preserved in digital format.

Naeem claims he has written several letters to the corporation representatives and the MLA, asking for space for his books, but nothing has happened. The only solution he was offered, he says, was to part with his books to the authorities. For him, his collection is a hard work of years and he cannot trust them to anyone else's care. "We have never asked for any money. We can run the place on our own. All we need is a place where we can keep our books and turn it into an open library," he asserts. "A place of learning will never be the priority of authorities or religious leaders," he shrugs while quietly keeping the books back in shelf.

-The Times of India, 15th April 2014

The DDA has failed to maintain the Sanjay lake, say residents

The transformation of Sanjay Lake from a wetland or a breeding ground for water birds into an artificial polluted lake is a cause of concern for environmentalists as well as residents of Mayur Vihar Phase –II.

According to Brijendra Singh, who goes for a morning walk to the lake every day, the abysmal state of affairs is due to years of neglect by the Delhi Development Authority, which has been entrusted with the responsibility for the upkeep of the park.

“Two decades ago, the Sanjay Lake used to be virtually a jungle. Initially, the DDA did a commendable job by clearing the bushes and wild grass, building pathways for walkers and joggers along the lake and planting saplings. But over the past decade, the Authority has frittered away a golden opportunity to preserve the lake.”

“More than the park, it is the deterioration of the lake into an artificial polluted body that concerns us,” said Deepak Mehra, a banker who frequently visits the park.

For a passerby the presence of ducks around the lake creates an erroneous impression that all is well. But a closer inspection reveals plastic bags and garbage that has been dumped into the lake by thoughtless people.

Residents want the DDA to adopt measures for sustainable management of the Sanjay Lake so as to preserve the wetland habitat and protect birdlife.

In its website, the DDA has highlighted the Sanjay Lake Park as its achievement by mentioning it as a “water body attracting migratory birds”.

However, noted environmentalist T. K. Roy differs on this point.

“Honestly, the DDA has not maintained the lake. The wetland has been modified into a concrete artificial wetland and its aquatic bio-diversity has deteriorated,” said Mr. Roy to The Hindu.

Mr. Roy said introduction of boating activity, open bathing, washing clothes and creation of playground around the lake has disturbed the wildlife habitat.

“During winters, rare migratory birds visit the wetland but due to environmental degradation around this lake they hardly stay here for long. Last February, a mixed flock of winter migratory ducks such as Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and Coot were sighted for a day but they disappeared the following day. Birdwatchers and nature lovers are unhappy by this development, ” he added.

“Earlier, it used to attract a large number of diverse species, particularly long distant exotic migratory birds. However, the lake has now unfortunately turned into just an entertainment park with a degraded wetland habitat,” said a visitor.

Though cricket and football cannot be played in the park – signboards to this effect have been put up by the DDA – the rule is openly flouted.

Similarly, entry of scooters and cycles is forbidden and yet many can be seen contravening these rules.

-The Hindu, 15th April 2014

Before Delhi is accorded the tag of a World Heritage City, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation will be sending a team of archaeological experts here in June to examine the heritage sites in New Delhi and Shahjahanabad that had been included in the dossier submitted by the Union Culture Ministry.

“These experts will be from South-East Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore and Hong Kong who are more familiar with the Indian monuments than archaeological experts from Europe and the United States. To ensure unbiased scrutiny of these sites, none of the experts will be from India,” said a senior official of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, which had submitted the dossier to UNESCO in January this year.

After examining the sites, the experts will prepare a report. “Based on the report, UNESCO will eventually decide whether to accord Delhi the status of a World Heritage City or not. The announcement would be made in June 2015.”

Interestingly, INTACH has compartmentalised New Delhi, which includes landmarks like Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and other iconic places like Connaught Place and Shahjahanabad built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th Century.“In the dossier, we have highlighted the fact that New Delhi and Shahjahanabad are two imperial cities. While British architect Edward Lutyens was instrumental in designing New Delhi, which is now known as Lutyens’ Delhi, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan played a pivotal role in outlining the contours of Shahjahanabad. Since Shahjahanabad is dotted with some aesthetically constructed havelis, we are in the process of talking to their owners and restoring them. The dossier has been prepared in a way that Delhi is accorded the title of World Heritage City. India’s nominations have been rejected in the past because the presentations were not comprehensive. This time, we have even included colourful pictures of the sights with their names in the dossier,” said the INTACH official.

For India it is important that Delhi bags this title because it would give tourism a boost. “There would be more footfalls to Delhi from various countries to see the hundreds of havelis in Shahjahanabad. We are planning to convert them into tourist lodges. More than tourism, we want to instil pride among the inhabitants of Delhi,” the official added.

-The Hindu, 15th April 2014

To mark the World Heritage Day on April 18, the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has set up a month-long exhibition themed on “Modern Heritage”.

The exhibition, set to begin on Tuesday at the National Gallery of Modern Art, will showcase the major works of architect Raj Rewal — Hall of Nations in Pragati Maidan and Parliament library.

Interestingly, some of these buildings might be demolished under the proposed Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Plan by the Urban Development Ministry. Earlier, Rewal, the chairman of Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), had opposed the tearing down of these “iconic structures”, arguing that the demolition would adversely impact the landscape of the area.

Asserting that every country except India recognises modern-era buildings as part of their legacy, the curator of the exhibition, and INTACH convener, AGK Menon said, “Here, we focus on just ancient and medieval era monuments. What the state needs to understand is that if these modern structures such as the Parliament library, Connaught Place and Hall of Nations are demolished, it will be a loss to our cultural memory. We are trying to bring home the point that heritage needs to be defined as ‘modern’ too. We have even sent a list of monuments to the government that qualify as modern heritage.”

Menon said the exhibition will raise critical questions on what theoretical frameworks Indian architects should follow and if the benchmarks for evaluation should always be western models.

On display are not just maps, photographs and designs of popular buildings Rewal has constructed, but also lesser-known works he undertook for various government agencies, particularly the low-cost housing projects in Navi Mumbai and Delhi.

In every structure, Rewal’s inherent belief in creating open spaces — terraces, courtyards, balconies — is clearly reflected. The Asian Games Village, 1982, to house athletes, for example, comprises 500 housing units designed in a 35-acre precinct. It has open spaces, linked with shaded pedestrian pathways and enough parking area.

Rewal said he draws most upon his inspiration from traditional Indian architecture, reshaping it to suit modern sensibilities.

“The basis of traditional architecture has always been to counter the scorching heat of the Indian summer. The typology of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is similar to Venice. Having worked abroad, it took me some time to imbibe these values. The narrow winding streets, cool and shady courtyards which diffuse light influenced my design for the Asian Games Village,” he told Newsline.

-The Indian Express, 15th April 2014

The DDA has failed to maintain the Sanjay lake, say residents

The transformation of Sanjay Lake from a wetland or a breeding ground for water birds into an artificial polluted lake is a cause of concern for environmentalists as well as residents of Mayur Vihar Phase –II.

According to Brijendra Singh, who goes for a morning walk to the lake every day, the abysmal state of affairs is due to years of neglect by the Delhi Development Authority, which has been entrusted with the responsibility for the upkeep of the park.

“Two decades ago, the Sanjay Lake used to be virtually a jungle. Initially, the DDA did a commendable job by clearing the bushes and wild grass, building pathways for walkers and joggers along the lake and planting saplings. But over the past decade, the Authority has frittered away a golden opportunity to preserve the lake.”

“More than the park, it is the deterioration of the lake into an artificial polluted body that concerns us,” said Deepak Mehra, a banker who frequently visits the park.

For a passerby the presence of ducks around the lake creates an erroneous impression that all is well. But a closer inspection reveals plastic bags and garbage that has been dumped into the lake by thoughtless people.

Residents want the DDA to adopt measures for sustainable management of the Sanjay Lake so as to preserve the wetland habitat and protect birdlife.

In its website, the DDA has highlighted the Sanjay Lake Park as its achievement by mentioning it as a “water body attracting migratory birds”.

However, noted environmentalist T. K. Roy differs on this point.

“Honestly, the DDA has not maintained the lake. The wetland has been modified into a concrete artificial wetland and its aquatic bio-diversity has deteriorated,” said Mr. Roy to The Hindu.

Mr. Roy said introduction of boating activity, open bathing, washing clothes and creation of playground around the lake has disturbed the wildlife habitat.

“During winters, rare migratory birds visit the wetland but due to environmental degradation around this lake they hardly stay here for long. Last February, a mixed flock of winter migratory ducks such as Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and Coot were sighted for a day but they disappeared the following day. Birdwatchers and nature lovers are unhappy by this development, ” he added.

“Earlier, it used to attract a large number of diverse species, particularly long distant exotic migratory birds. However, the lake has now unfortunately turned into just an entertainment park with a degraded wetland habitat,” said a visitor.

Though cricket and football cannot be played in the park – signboards to this effect have been put up by the DDA – the rule is openly flouted. Similarly, entry of scooters and cycles is forbidden and yet many can be seen contravening these rules.

-The Hindu, 15th April 2014

Before Delhi is accorded the tag of a World Heritage City, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation will be sending a team of archaeological experts here in June to examine the heritage sites in New Delhi and Shahjahanabad that had been included in the dossier submitted by the Union Culture Ministry.

“These experts will be from South-East Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore and Hong Kong who are more familiar with the Indian monuments than archaeological experts from Europe and the United States. To ensure unbiased scrutiny of these sites, none of the experts will be from India,” said a senior official of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, which had submitted the dossier to UNESCO in January this year.

After examining the sites, the experts will prepare a report. “Based on the report, UNESCO will eventually decide whether to accord Delhi the status of a World Heritage City or not. The announcement would be made in June 2015.”

Interestingly, INTACH has compartmentalised New Delhi, which includes landmarks like Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and other iconic places like Connaught Place and Shahjahanabad built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th Century.“In the dossier, we have highlighted the fact that New Delhi and Shahjahanabad are two imperial cities. While British architect Edward Lutyens was instrumental in designing New Delhi, which is now known as Lutyens’ Delhi, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan played a pivotal role in outlining the contours of Shahjahanabad. Since Shahjahanabad is dotted with some aesthetically constructed havelis, we are in the process of talking to their owners and restoring them. The dossier has been prepared in a way that Delhi is accorded the title of World Heritage City. India’s nominations have been rejected in the past because the presentations were not comprehensive. This time, we have even included colourful pictures of the sights with their names in the dossier,” said the INTACH official.

For India it is important that Delhi bags this title because it would give tourism a boost. “There would be more footfalls to Delhi from various countries to see the hundreds of havelis in Shahjahanabad. We are planning to convert them into tourist lodges. More than tourism, we want to instil pride among the inhabitants of Delhi,” the official added.

-The Hindu, 15th April 2014

The Government should incorporate skilling and vocational training with its top social and economic national priorities to fill in the youth with skills and faculties that can empower them with employable abilities with emerging and evolving aspirations and expectations of industry and other similar stake holders,” Hamid Ansari, vice president of India said at a recently held International Conference on Skilling in Schools.

The conference was jointly organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Ansari said that an index need to be evolved to gauge the performance of those learning and imparting skills and vocational education in difference schools so that their performances is measured as per suggested index parameters to take skills and vocational education to a logical conclusion. Until skilling and vocational education were treated with national priority, the on-going schemes to promote and diversify the uses of skills and vocational education in various schools would yield little results.

Ansari sought for collective efforts from government and industry for wider spread and launch of vocational education throughout India so that India is able to prepare 500 million of its youth to be employable as per emerging requirement in all segment of Indian economy in next 10-12 years. According to Ansari, India would have to prepare 15 million youth per annum with skills that are required to maintain an annual growth rate of 8 per cent which is a very big challenge to maintain the demand and supply.

-The Pioneer, 16th April 2014

Seven years and several clearances later, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) may start work on the Kasturba Gandhi Marg multilevel automated parking project from scratch. The private concessionaire, DS Constructions, has submitted fresh building plans for the project after falling in line with National Monument Authority (NMA) guidelines.

After sitting on the project for almost one-and-a-half-years, NMA gave a conditional approval in February last year. The original plan was for constructing two 40-metre high towers - one for parking and another for a commercial complex. NMA restricted the height of the commercial tower to 21m because it was located in the monument control zone of 300 from the 13th century Agrasen Ki Baoli.

The irony is that the site is surrounded by buildings which are over 80 in height and restricting the height of this tower won't possibly serve the purpose of safeguarding the baoli. But then NMA would argue that the other buildings had come up when it didn't exist and now that it had a job to do, no one should complaint if it was just implementing the law.

In February, the civic agency had served a notice to the concessionaire to either start the work or withdraw from the project after filling up the huge pit at the site. In a report titled, 'KG Marg parking: Work stalled, NDMC acts tough" published on February 22 this year, TOI had reported that the civic agency was planning to call for fresh tenders.

"After our notice, the private concessionaire has submitted a fresh plan for the project to the architecture department. The new plan is according to the approval given by NMA," said O P Mishra, director, project, NDMC. Though the concessionaire has applied for fresh permission, the civic agency is yet to decide about the dug-up site. "The site has been dug up for the past four years. We have to see if it is posing any danger to the neighbouring buildings. Also, if the project takes time to start, then we might have to get the ground levelled," said an official.

Initially, the concessionaire had been reluctant to accept NMA's decision as it meant revenue loss. Sources say, the new plan has taken care of that aspect. As it is a PPP project, it is the concessionaire who has to get all the permissions once again. "We got the permission recently after a long wait. The NMA has given conditional permission. But we are keen on the project to progress and have presented NDMC a fresh plan with minimum modifications which are as per the approvals received from NMA. We are waiting for NDMC's approval now," said a spokesperson for DSC Limited.

NDMC officials say that once the plan is approved by them, it will once again be sent to NMA for its final permission. While the sanctioning process has started all over again, office-goers will have to deal with the parking mess for some more years.

-The Times of India, 16th April 2014

The National Gallery of Modern Art will be hosting its first-ever architectural exhibition to display five decades of work by eminent architect Raj Rewal. Open to visitors from April 16 to June 16, the exhibition, titled 'Raj Rewal: Memory, Metaphor and Meaning in his Constructed Landscape', showcases Rewal's work spanning over five decades of architectural practice, research and thinking and aims to revive interest in the concept of modern heritage and its preservation.

According to NGMA officials, the exhibition sheds light on Rewal's interest in historical models and the manner in which he invokes the memory of these precedents through design metaphors as a means to invest his buildings with meaning. The exhibition has been divided into various categories-houses and housing projects including housing for the poor, research and educational buildings and campuses, public buildings and offices. "A timeline records the sequence of his works. Architectural models, drawings and photographs have been used extensively to enable the viewer to 'read' his works," said an official. The event is jointly exhibited by A G Krishna Menon and Rahoul B Singh.

Some of the landmark exhibits on display include permanent exhibition pavilions at Pragati Maidan (1972), Asian Games Village (1982), Central Institute of Educational Technology (1988), Jawahar Vyapar Bhavan (1989), SCOPE office complex (1989), National Institute of Immunology (1990), CIDCO low cost housing Navi Mumbai (1993), world bank regional mission Delhi (1995), Lisbon Ismailli Centre, Portugal (2000), Library for Indian Parliament (2003), Indian Embassy Beijing (2011), Visual Arts Institutional campus, Rohtak (2014), French embassy staff quarters (1967-69), world bank regional mission, and British High Commission staff quarters.

According to Prof. Rajeev Lochan, director of NGMA, "Rewal's works are rooted in the ethos of land, and are significant landmarks of modern architectural buildings that we as a society need to conserve." The exhibition presents Rewal's work including sketches, drawings, models, films at the NGMAs two main galleries-Jaipur House and the Temporary Exhibition gallery in the NGMA's new wing. "This exhibition makes a long due contribution to Indian architectural studies," Lochan said.

-The Times of India, 16th April 2014

Exhibition at Red Fort will showcase less-popular monuments shot by 40 ‘non-professional’ photographers.

A photography exhibition displaying less-known monuments in Delhi will be held at the Red Fort this World Heritage Day. The month-long exhibition is set to begin on Friday and will showcase works by 40-odd ‘non-professional’ photographers, including students, doctors, businessmen and lawyers.

The aim, officials said, was to showcase monuments not frequented by the public. “We wanted to draw people’s attention towards sites that are not talked about. How many people know about Jahaz Mahal or Rajaon ki Baoli? Moreover, we wanted to give amateurs an opportunity to showcase their talent,” ASI (Delhi) superintendent archaeologist Vasant Kumar Swarankar told Newsline. Swarankar chanced upon a display of works by members of Delhi Heritage Photography Club (DHPC) — an online community — and was highly impressed by the quality of the pictures.

“Many were pictures taken on mobile phones. But they were extremely appealing. We selected some of them and put them up. We decided to set up the exhibition at the display hall near Naubatkhana. We have selected only lesser known monuments,” he said. Monidipa Dey (37), who received the first prize for her picture of the Jahaz Mahal in Mehrauli, used to work with Wipro. She is now a freelance writer.

Photography has been Dey’s hobby since childhood. “My father loved taking pictures and passed on the talent to me. I completed a one-year diploma in photography, quit my job and switched to freelance writing and photography in 2005,” Dey said. First runner-up Himanshi Rastogi (35) is a hospitality professional. Rastogi starting shooting four years ago, starting with a point-and-shoot camera and eventually graduating to a professional camera. He photographed the tomb of Feroz Shah Kotla for this event.

“This is an attempt to bring focus on ‘forgotten heritage’. Like Humayun’s Tomb, other smaller monuments also need to be restored. There are so many heritage sites in the heart of Delhi with easy access but people are not aware of them,” Rastogi said. Second runner-up and a former lawyer, Parth Thakkar (26), opted for full-time photography a year ago. Three of his pictures were selected for display, with one of them, on Athpullah bridge in Lodhi Garden, winning the third prize. Thakkar is a self-taught photographer — he tutored himself by reading books on the subject.

The photography club, Thakkar believes, has helped him refine his art. “After every exhibition, professional photographers review our work and suggest ways of improving,” he said.

Vikramjit, who started DHPC a few years ago as a Facebook page, has expanded it into a much larger community with various exercises. There are monthly “darbars” with heritage experts, authors and university professors on how to look at heritage and read its undertones.

“We also have fortnightly photography walks where we select a monument, talk about its history and take pictures,” Vikramjit said.

-The Indian Express, 17th April 2014

The Great Indian Bustard, Floricans and species of vultures are among the 15 species in India that figure in the 100 Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) birds from around the world. This is as per the findings of a recent study by Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Yale University.

While Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is working on the conservation of at least 12 of them, experts have raised alarm bells of their possible extinction due to growing human pressures on their habitat.The study points out that most of the factors driving the birds to extinction are human-related. “A lot are threatened by introduced predators. Many of them live on islands, and where humans have colonised those islands, mammals like cats and dogs have been introduced and they have preyed on the vulnerable species which haven’t evolved to deal with natural predators”, says the study.

The study further stresses on the fact the EDGE birds are under threat due to the destruction of their habitat of grasslands and scrub forests. The survival of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Siberian Crane and White-bellied Heron for instance greatly depends on the existence of their wetland habitat. The survival of Forest Owlet is impossible if its habitat of deciduous forests in central India is destroyed. The Great Indian Bustards on the other hand are vanishing due to disappearing grasslands and their over grazing.

“A variety of habitats in the country are threatened by human factors such as uncontrolled urbanization, unsustainable industrialization and rampant use of chemicals n agriculture” the study notes.Commenting on the need to conserve these habitats, Dr Asad Rahmani, ornithologist said, “Habitats such as grasslands and wetlands and the species inhabiting them have long been neglected in the conservation process in India. Comprehensive conservation action based on in-depth field research is required to save these species from going extinct. Today these habitats are facing some of the most severe human pressures, which endanger the survival of the avian populations found there”.

Out of the 15 Indian species underlined by the international study, including Bengal Florican, Forest Owlet, Red-headed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Jerdon’s Courser, Lesser Florican, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the BNHS has been working on the conservation of at least 12 species, directly or in partnership with other organizations.Conservationist Dr AJT Johnsingh, while hailing the efforts in conservation, however, feared that more needs to be done and really fast if these birds need to be saved from extinction.

-The Pioneer, 17th April 2014

Halfway down Mehrauli's chaotic bazaar, a narrow entrance partially blocked by electronics shops leads to a small graveyard. History traces the origins of the graveyard—called Hijron ka Khanqah—to the Lodhi era, but the identity of the people buried in its 50 graves is unknown. The region's transgender community, though, believes they are the final resting place of its prominent members down the centuries, and considers them sacred. Transgenders from not only the city but also the neighbouring states come here to pay their respects to the unmarked white graves.

The main tomb revered by transgenders is said to be of a hijra named Miyan Saheb, sibling of a certain Sheikh Baba. Kanta, a regular visitor, said, "All those who knew more about the history of this place have passed on. For us, the identity of the buried is not important. We know they were like us and fought for our rights''.

Kanta, who had accompanied a group of transgenders from Laxmi Nagar to make offerings, said they come here at least once a year. Although there are other graveyards for transgenders across the city, this one is considered the most sacred, not just because it's the oldest but because of beliefs that the buried transgenders held special powers.

Transgenders from Turkman Gate and Lal Quan in Old Delhi maintain the graveyard impeccably. "Thousands of people come here to pray because this place is like a shrine, a spiritual retreat. Outside, we are ostracized. People turn away when they see us approaching. Here, we feel at peace,'' said Komal, another transgender.

That transgenders were held in high regard throughout Indian history is something the community has not forgotten. "In the Mughal Empire, transgenders guarded the royal harem. They were influential and attained high positions,'' said an expert. They were organized in a hierarchy, with a senior or chief transgender directing the community.

Historians say transgenders were highly valued for their strength, ability to provide protection to women's palaces, and trustworthiness that allowed them to live among women with fewer worries. Eunuchs served as messengers, watchmen, attendants and guards in palaces. Often, they counted among a king's advisers.

While the community has hailed the Supreme Court order recognizing it as a third gender, many say it will make no difference to their lives. "Historically, we were held in very high esteem... we were considered even more beautiful than queens. Today, society fails to recognize us. Will the SC judgment restore the honour of all those of us who have died in shame, treated as outcasts; will it make people view us any differently?'' said Kanta bitterly. Her companion, Khushboo, said, "It is our right to collect money from people on occasions of births and anniversaries, but in many gated colonies and high-security areas, we are not allowed to even come close. Will the SC order change that for us?''

-The Times of India, 17th April 2014

It's quite a sight inside Asola Bhatti Sanctuary as earthmovers are demolishing boundary walls of some palatial farmhouses. The forest department is clearing its own mess now in the sanctuary. Action was taken only after the ministry of environment and forests, too, demanded an explanation and directed clearing of all encroachments in December last year.

National Green Tribunal had been harping on coming clean on what's Delhi's "forest" area for a long time. Eventually, Delhi government issued orders to the department to bulldoze constructions falling within the forest area. Environmentalists feel that the lack of a government in Delhi currently played a role in ensuring that encroachments are removed. For years, these encroachments had come up right under the nose of the forest department but there were no directions from the previous government to act against them, they pointed out.

Pushed to the edge by urban habitations and encroachments, the department recently proposed only a 1km eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary. But MoEF's guidelines on eco-sensitive zones stipulate a radius of 10km wherein human activity should be regulated.

Now that the forest department has got its act together, property owners in the area are up in arms. They are showing property tax receipts and electricity bill documents to prove their legal status. On Monday for instance, when the forest department demolished the boundary wall of a farmhouse on khasra number 1309, its owner who refused to be named said, "Our life's savings are gone. We bought this property about seven years ago from a prominent lawyer. We have tried our best not to harm the greenery. Why should we pay the price for the government's mistake?" she said.

The owners also claimed that the department pasted notices on their gate only 20 minutes before starting the demolition. "Our guard informed us that they came with earthmovers. We immediately rushed here. Is this supposed to be done like this?" she asked. Her husband, who used to work for a public sector company, had bought the property but claimed that it has a different khasra number. Some residents are planning to file cases in NGT against such demolitions.

Massive encroachments have now come to light after forest department recently concluded preparing geo-referenced maps of the area. The forest department, however, claims there was no clarity on demarcation of forest land until these maps were made which stopped them from acting against encroachers. "We got a clear direction from the administration only now. MoEF had also written to us about acting against encroachments," said additional principal chief conservator of forests GN Sinha. Their work has suffered in the sanctuary because of acute shortage of staff especially foot soldiers-the forest guards. With over 300 vacancies, it's impossible to monitor huge tracts of land and deal with the increasing pressure from urban population, said an official.

Raj Panjwani, amicus curiae to NGT on Ridge-related issues, raised concerns that demolition of only walls is only "cosmetic". "These are absolutely illegal structures that cannot come up in a sanctuary without connivance. Demolition shouldn't be cosmetic. The fact that these people have been using groundwater from the forest is in complete violation of forest laws," he said.

The forest department said the exact area encroached cannot be assessed until they go to each khasra to check the encroachments on ground.

-The Times of India, 29th April 2014

There are 764 grossly polluting industries in the five States on the main stem of the Ganga and its tributaries which are marring the water quality in the rivers, the Centre and its Ministry of Environment & Forests have said while expressing hope that their Gangetic Dolphin Conservation Plan together with Mission Clean Ganga would yield favourable results.

In an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal, which is hearing a petition filed by Krishnakant Singh highlighting the pollution being caused in the Ganga by Simbhaoli Sugar Mills and Distilleries in Ghaziabad, the Government said its National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) has inspected 456 of the 764 grossly polluting industries (GPIs).

It said under NGRBA programme, a project on pollution inventorisation, assessment and surveillance has been sanctioned to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) which has already identified 764 grossly polluting industries (GPI) in five States on the main stem of the Ganga and its tributaries, Kali-East and Ramganga.

“Out of 764 GPIs, 456 have been inspected under NGRBA programme by CPCB from August 2011 to August 2013 and action has been taken against the non-complying industries by CPCB,” the Government said.

Denying allegation that it has not acted against Simbhaoli Sugar Mills, MoEF submitted that Simbhaoli Distilleries also falls under GPIs.

The Ministry added that though it had taken several steps to check pollution in the Ganga, the main role of inspection and monitoring comes under the purview of the Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Boards.

On the last hearing, NGT had termed Simbhaoli Sugar Mills and Distilleries “serious polluters”.

On the petition alleging that the discharge from the Simbhaoli drains is also affecting dolphins and other aquatic life, the Ministry said: “A Gangetic Dolphin Conservation Plan has been prepared by a working group of experts. To provide necessary advice and guidance to the Ministry in implementation of the Action Plan, an advisory committee has been constituted by the government under the chairmanship of Professor R.K. Sinha, member NGRBA. The implementation of the Action Plan together with NGRBA programme for Mission Clean Ganga is poised to create favourable conditions for proliferation of dolphins.”

The affidavit said CPCB has reported that all the three industries – Simbhaoli Sugar Mills, Simbhaoli Distilleries and Gopal Jee Dairy – were inspected on September 4, 2013, when Simbhaoli Sugar Mills was not found in operation due to off-crushing season. The distillery division and Gopal Jee Dairy were found not complying with the standards for effluent disposal. CPCB has issued directions under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act to these industries.

Since crushing season has now commenced, CPCB has been asked to make spot assessment of the area including collection of samples from the outlet of all three industries, drains and conduct appropriate testing and analysis for their compliance with the required standards to get an overall assessment and take necessary action against erring industries within four weeks.

-The Hindu, 29th April 2014

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said on Saturday that it would scrap, wherever required, its ambitious Yamuna riverfront development (YRFD) projects so that the river’s floodplains could be saved. The DDA reaction comes a day after an expert panel recommended to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the planning authority’s recreational spots located in active floodplain areas would kill the river and cause floods in the city.

DDA vice-chairman Balvinder Kumar told Hindustan Times: “We will go by the expert panel’s recommendations. We started building recreational spots to save the ecologically-fragile floodplains from encroachment. But we respect the panel’s views and will implement the alternative ways it has suggested to protect the floodplains”.

The DDA has made its stand clear even as the NGT has asked it to respond to the panel’s report in about four weeks. The tribunal will take a final call on the matter on May 22.

Manoj Misra of NGO Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, who is the petitioner in the current NGT case, said: “It’s a sheer waste of public funds. Nature is most beautiful in its wilderness and starkness. It needs no embellishment. You kill rivers through amphitheatres, exhibition areas, mythological parks and food plazas”.

“Planners and managers in Delhi, thanks to the NGT, have now a unique opportunity to showcase to the world what great river restoration works could be carried out in the heart of a megapolis,” he said.

The panel formed by the union ministry of environment and forests on NGT’s directive has said in its report: “Further construction in the floodplain in the name of riverfront development will completely destroy the river. Water will be polluted and because of reduced flood-carrying capacity of the river, the city on its both sides will face flood threats. Fisheries and groundwater recharge will also be affected”.

The DDA has developed a biodiversity park on the west bank of Wazirabad barrage in 63.6 hectares. It’s outside the floodplains. “It’s phase II development in 121.5 hectares is inside the floodplains, but that project will not affect the river,” the panel has said.

However, immediately south of the west bank, there is a Sur Ghat built for devotees. “The DDA has plans to build several structures, mounds, parking lots and boating facilities. The river flows close to the ghats. The water is highly polluted, shallow and full of garbage. The area should not be developed as proposed by the DDA,” the panel says.

There is a Golden Jubilee Park (154 hectares) near Old Railway Bridge opposite Red Fort. Two phases are proposed.

Some development has already taken place. The DDA has planned another such project south of Nizamuddin Bridge. “Both these projects will degrade the river further. They should be stopped and the areas restored to the river as its floodplains,” the panel has said.

-The Hindustan Times, 29th April 2014

An RTI enquiry has revealed that the Prime Minister's Office has taken note of the ecological importance of Mangar Bani and adjoining areas and the repeated attempts by various agencies to avoid conservation status for it. The PMO has written twice to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), Haryana government and the NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) asking for their comments on making Mangar a conservation reserve.

The PMO had enclosed an anonymous note where the author has highlighted that Mangar is the "last true representation of natural Aravalli forests near Delhi," and suggested that it be notified as a "conservation reserve with community management." On January 7 2014, PMO had first sent the note to the agencies. They re-sent it on February 7, 2014 and said that "comments in the matter be expedited." In reply to lawyer Rohit Choudhury's RTI application, the PMO has also enclosed the note on Mangar, most likely from an environmentalist, which states that private land owners in Mangar should be given an exit clause so that they sell their land to the government and vacate the area. The area that is critical according to the note is about 120 to 150 sqkm from Surajkund to Damdama. It suggests that all of Aravallis in Haryana be treated as deemed forest as per earlier Supreme Court judgements.

The PMO also wrote to secretary, urban development on March 5 2014, about changes being made to the Regional Plan 2021 and Regional Plan for Haryana warning them to take MoEF's comments before making any changes.

-The Times of India, 29th April 2014

The Delhi centre of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) has occupied 123 acres of forest land, the forest department has alleged. The department has alleged the philosophical and charitable organisation, with several national and international centres, has occupied 72 acres of land in the Asola-Bhatti wildlife sanctuary in south Delhi and 51 acres of the adjoining Ridge or reserve forest.

Destruction of the Delhi ridge, of which the sanctuary is a part, means desertification of Delhi, fall of its water table and more pollution.

Deputy range officer of Delhi’s lone wildlife sanctuary, Dharam Singh, on Monday filed two complaints - HT has copies - with the police and made these allegations.

“It seems the head of RSSB, with help from his supporters, has occupied land and is trying to occupy more land. It seems on his directive, one Chandan Sharma is obstructing the survey work being done by us.”

“This violates sections of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 and the Indian Forest Act, 1927. These violations could be probed only by an assistant commissioner of police. Please act and get the land returned to the forest department,” the complaints read.

A senior Delhi Police official said, “Yes, we have recieved complaints from the forest department. We’re investigating the case”.

The organisation, however, vehemently denied the allegations. RSSB (Bhatti Mines) secretary Kamal Gurbuxani told HT, “No forest land is under our occupation. The forest department on Monday issued a notification, detailing all khasras (land parcels) belonging to them. Our land and property are not there on the list.”

On its sprawling and well-maintained campus in south Delhi, RSSB holds frequent gatherings where speakers such as Baba Gurinder Singh Maharaj, Master at Beas, and other speakers deliver spiritual talks. Its website says the organisation is based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development.

The complaints claim five land parcels of the 5,000-acre sanctuary and 16 outside it (which could be termed eco-sensitive zone) have been occupied by RSSB. Overall, about 480 acres of land is said to be under illegal occupation by various individuals and organisations in the sanctuary.

After Hindustan Times on April 12 laid bare a systemic land grab in the sanctuary, the forest department started demolishing boundary walls of illegal farmhouses there. These farmhouses with gates and huge boundary walls also have approach roads, besides electricity and water supplies.

So far, 125 acres of land has been reclaimed. The going rate for such land in south Delhi is Rs. 6 to Rs. 40 crore per acre.

-The Hindustan Times, 30th April 2014

With environmentalists raising the issue of conservation of Mangar forest, the last natural forest near Delhi, it is learnt that the Prime Minister’s Office had shot off a letter to the Ministry of Urban Development that the revised regional plan of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) and Sub-Regional Plan of Haryana, which proposed to promote tourism and construction in the area, be not approved without taking the views of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

It was learnt through a Right To Information reply filed by activist Rohit Choudhury that on March 5, the PMO had written to the Urban Development Ministry referring to media reports about allowing tourism in the Aravallis and lifting the cap on construction limit in the Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ).

“...the Ministry [of Urban Development] may first obtain views/ comments of the MoEF on the proposed changes in the Regional Plan 2021, the proposed regional plan of Haryana and the proposal for inclusion of Mangar Bani in conservation zone. After obtaining MoEF's views/ comments, the Ministry may apprise this office with their views/ comments,” the PMO office had said in its letter in March.

“The Ministry may please ensure that the NCRPB does not finalise the above changes until a final view is taken on the matter.” The RTI reply revealed that the PMO had written to the Government of Haryana, the MoEF and the NCRPB had in January, calling comments from them and specified action needed in the form of notifying a conservation reserve with community management, and offering an exit clause to private land owners to sell the land to government for a modest financial return. It also proposed that MoEF extend the 1992 Aravalli notification to Faridabad district, as it is currently limited to Gurgaon district. The PMO had also called for initiating steps for creating an eco-sensitive zone for Asola buffer on Haryana side and to treat all of the Aravallis in Haryana as deemed forest as per Supreme Court judgments.

Incidentally, some of the villagers in Mangar forest have been resisting the move and they had a couple of months ago also attacked some tourists, as they did not want tourism to get promote in their area. As regards the NCR Planning Board, the note asked it to retain protective regulation in the regional plan 2021 – especially 0.5 per cent limit on construction in the Natural Conservation Zone and zone Aravallis as permanent forest conservation and water recharge zone in which no construction, boundary walls are allowed. In February, the PMO again wrote to the Haryana Government and the NCRPB asking them to expedite their comments.

Mangar forest or Mangar Bani is a chunk of Aravallis protected by locals for years now and is known to be the habitat of leopards, nilgai, etc. In 2005, Regional Plan-2021 was implemented declaring it natural conservation zone with 0.5 per cent restriction on construction etc. In 2012, NCRPB revised the plan and issued it for public comments in July 2013. After a planning committee meeting, the proposed plan was approved in January. The revised plan allowed tourism in natural conservation zone, and the term “forest” was replaced with “green cover” allowing developers to bypass the Forest Conservation Act.

-The Hindu, 30th April 2014